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Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Dynamic Websites
Module Code CM267
School School of Communications
Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Declan Tuite
Semester 2: Declan Tuite
Autumn: Declan Tuite
Module TeacherDonal Mulligan
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
This module will build on student’s basic knowledge of web site development and programming structures. Dynamic web delivery will be the key focus. The main focus of the module will be dynamic page creation and delivery – through content management systems configuration and server side scripting.The module will allow streaming of students once basic dynamic websites principles and techniques are established. Some students will install, configure and extend content management systems while others will personalise and extend themes and templates, up to writing their own modulesOpen source languages and technologies such as PHP, JavaScript, XML and MySQL will be used. Students will develop skills to create Web applications.

Learning Outcomes
1. Identify the processes and roles involved in content creation, administration and development of a content management system.
2. Install and configure and content management system.
3. Extend the functionality of a content management system.
4. Produce a small web based application
5. Evaluate web sites for accessibility
6. Identify key concepts for syntax and semantics of a mix of contemporary web programming languages ( PHP/XML/XHTML)
7. Understand structured queries and database interaction (MySQL) appropriate to CMS installation, or to the creation of bespoke dynamic webpages.
8. Create original solutions for web based applications.
9. Select and employ appropriate web programming structures for web applications and services.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture12Lectures Theory / case study based
Lab24LabLab session practice based, feedback and problem solving exercises
Directed learning16Class challenge, problem solving exercises
Assignment16Assignment one
Assignment30Assignment two- dynamic web site with original content
Assignment12Presentation/ Pitch preparation / Prototyping
Independent learning15independent learning
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Fundamentals of Dynamic Websites.
Building templates,Building pages on the flyServer side scripting.

Web Content Management.
Installing and Configuring a content management system,Adding and editing content,Extending and personalising themes, templates and modules.

Accessibility & WAI Standards.
Ensuring Graceful Transformation, Making Content Understandable and Navigable, not relying on colour alone, Consideration of Visual, Hearing, Physical/Motor, Cognitive/Neurological disabilities and associated assistive technologies.

Web Databases.
Remote Files, PHP/XML/XHTML, SQL - fundamentals, data types.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentManagement of CMS40%Week 6
Group presentationPitch of bespoke CMS - for final project10%Week 12
Digital productionBespoke CMS - design and implementation50%n/a
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List
  • Powers, David: 2006, PHP solutions: dynamic Web design made easy, Friends of ED, Berkeley, Calif.,
  • Bulger, Brad: 2004, MySQL/PHP database applications, Wiley, Indianapolis, IN,
  • Garrett, Jesse James: 2002, The Elements of User Experience:, New Riders Press, Calif:,
  • Rosenfeld, & Morville: 2006, Information architecture for the World Wide Web, O'Reilly, Cambridge, Mass,
  • Thatcher, Jim: 2006, Web accessibility: Web standards and regulatory compliance, Friends of ED, Berkeley, Calif. :,
  • Slatin,& Rush: 2003, Maximum accessibility: making your web site more usable for everyone, Pearson/Addison-Wesley, Boston, MA :,
  • Chisholm, Wendy; & May, Matt: 2008, Universal design for Web applications: Web applications that reach everyone, O'Reilly Media, Sebastopol, Calif.,
Other Resources
3548, Website, 0, CMS Wire, http://www.cmswire.com/, 3549, Website, WAI, 0, http://www.w3.org/WAI/, 3385, Website, 0, wordpress.com, http://wordpress.com/, 3386, Website, 0, Joomla, http://joomlaireland.org/, 3387, Website, 0, Drupal, http://drupal.org/, 3388, Website, 0, Drupal Handbooks, http://drupal.org/handbooks, 3550, Website, The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, 0, Universal Design guidelines and standards for ICT, http://www.universaldesign.ie/useandapply/ict,
Array
Programme or List of Programmes
MMABSc in Multimedia
Timetable this semester: Timetable for CM267
Date of Last Revision26-NOV-07
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